Frank powers



, UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK POWERS, OF CLINTON, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF- TO LAFAYETTE LAMB, OF SAME PLACE.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 436,318, dated September 9, 1890.

Application led July 2, 1889. Serial No. 316,302. (No model.)

-server of extreme buoyancy and simplicity of construction at a minimum cost, and whereby it will indicate by its construction to persons unaccustomed to their use the manner of applying it to the person.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description,

and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed, out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a life-preserver constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the hollow floats, a portion of the end being broken away to show the construction.

Like letters of reference /indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

The floats A are made, preferably, of hollow cylinders of sheet metal, so as to combine the greatest buoyancy with the least weight. The sheets B and C, of canvas or other suitable material, are sewed together by parallel lines of stitching to form pockets for the reception of the ioats A. Y These pieces of cloth are also sewed together along their edges to completely inclose the floats. The neckband D is preferably formed integral with the plies of material B and C, and is filled with air or other buoyant substance, so as to render it buoyant and adapt it to serve as a rest or support for the head of the wearer. The

strap, belt, or cord E passes through the loops F, and is tied, buckled, or fastened in any other suitable manner to hold the life-preserver firmly around the body. Opposite the band of connection of the neckband D with the body of the preserver, I omit the pockets and floats, uniting the plies B and C at this point, as shown clearlyin Figs. l and 2. This renders the preserver more comfortable to the wearer and leaves the neckband freer to Inove in all direction, thus obviating any danger of any undue pressure around the neck of the wearer. A life-preserver constructed in this manner is very easily attached to the body and is of maximum buoyancy, and by its peculiar construction, especially in regard to the neckband, readily suggests the mannerfof applying it upon the person for use.

Having thus described my invention, what AI claim isl. A life-preserver consisting of cylindrical floats, two plies of material, as canvas, stitched togetherby parallel lines of stitching to form pockets for said floats, and also stitched along their edges to completely inclose the floats, an encircling strap or band E, and a neckband .formed integral with the plies B and C and filled with a buoyant lilling, substantially as shown and described.

2. Alife-preserver consisting of two plies of material, as canvas, stitched together by parallel lines of stitching to form pockets for the reception of floats, floats in said pockets, an encircling strap or band, as E, anda neckband D, filledwith a buoyant material, formed integral with the plies of material, said plies being united at their junction with the neckband, with a pocketless space opposite said neckband, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK POWERS. Y Witnesses:

RoBT. R. BALDWIN,

A. D. SALLEE. 

